The Convention Of Grand Slam Club/Ovis

Published: March - 2005

Still on the subject of new conventions, the folks at Grand Slam Club/Ovis were still adding up the numbers on their first convention in Biloxi, Mississippi, as this issue went to press. Suffice it to say, the gathering was a huge success. Gross revenue, Dennis Camp- bell says, will likely come to about $1,650,000, with just under a million of that coming from the various auctions. Total attendance was just under 2,000.

The Hunting Report attended the convention as an exhibitor, and we came away pleased with the results. Most of the exhibitors I spoke with were also pleased, if not by the results this year, by the obvious promise of future conventions. One of the strong appeals of the convention was its friendliness. The hotel where the gathering was held, Beau Rivage, was also a plus.

One of the strongest indications of success was the high prices most of the auctioned hunts and items commanded. Campbell says his preliminary figures indicate that all of the hunts and items, figured in together, sold for just over 92 percent of their stated value. Anything over 60 percent is considered good.

Campbell says he is already planning next year's convention, which is also scheduled to take place in Biloxi at the Beau Rivage. His only concern is a possible space crunch next year. Obviously, that means interested exhibitors need to get cracking soon. In 2007, Camp- bell says he may move the gathering to an as yet un-announced location that can offer more space.